I recently got the Sony 90mm and took it underwater last weekend. The focus hunting was pretty frustrating. How do people deal with that?

This is an issue with older Sony bodies if i remember correctly. I dont remember it being a problem with my A7RV and 90mm. Which one are you using?

Maybe MFO-1 helps little bit?

18 minutes ago, Sokrates said:

This is an issue with older Sony bodies if i remember correctly. I dont remember it being a problem with my A7RV and 90mm. Which one are you using?

Maybe MFO-1 helps little bit?

A1 body. I talked to Backscatter, and they also mentioned the MFO-1, but I’ve read some mixed feedback about how much it actually helps with focusing.

Tbh A1 shouldnt be the problem. I assume you have latest firmware installed? There has been AF improvements in the updates.

Maybe some settings are wrong? Theres couple of YouTube videos by Alex Mustard (probably others also) about UW settings on the A1.

In my opinion MFO-1 should not be the solution, it should be an addition or enhancement.

@Vitaly

My daughter has shot the 90mm on the A7III, the A7RIV, and now the A7RV. With each body upgrade the lens AF response has gotten a little better, but still not a "world class" macro lens for anyone who has shot with a Cannon or Nikon previously.

The A1 helps quite a bit more, however the lens still hunts at times. The new Sony 100mm macro lens is significantly better in cutting down the hunting.

Some of the best practices (with the 90mm) that people use include "pre-focusing" in a narrow range for your subject (focus on something a similar distance away, then focus on your subject); utilize back button focus; leverage the focus limiter switch; utilize the rocking back and forth focus method, and use a high-lumen focus light. With these techiques you can get the best out of this lens, which can provide tack sharp images (when it focuses on what you want to shoot). An MFO-1 does help a bit (by reducing the focus range).

Others here will tell you the lens is "fine." If you use several of the techniques above the lens can be quite good. However, if you've shot a camera like a Nikon D500, D850, or any of the better Cannon bodies (along with the 105mm for Nikon or 100mm for Cannon macro lens) you notice the difference. The Sony 90mm just hunts more...

The new Sony 100mm lens seems to be significantly better... we've tried it locally, taking it to Indonesia in May to give it the full test.